Last week, I had the joy of presenting at the League of Utah Writers Romantic Letters Conference. The event was filled with brilliant authors, heartfelt conversations, and more creative energy than most writing conferences can claim.
My session, titled “Meet Cute Marketing,” explored one central idea: Your readers’ first encounter with you should feel just as intentional and memorable as your characters’ first encounter with each other.
As an indie author and a marketing professional with a background in nonprofit marketing, I’ve seen how powerful storytelling can be outside of the pages of a book. Whether you are building a community, launching a new series, or trying to reach your target audience, marketing is ultimately about connection. Romance writers already understand connection better than most.
What is a Meet Cute?
In romance, the meet cute sets the tone for everything that follows. It is charming, intentional, and memorable.
Marketing works in a similar way. Your author brand, online presence, and book descriptions create the moment when a reader decides they want to know more. That parallel is what inspired my approach for this presentation.
Here are some of the key ideas we discussed:
Authors are Brands, with Personas
Drawing from nonprofit marketing, I emphasized the power of authenticity. Readers connect with real people, not perfect personas. Your voice, values, humor, and quirks are part of your brand and can help readers feel a sense of familiarity.
Your Ideal Reader is Your Love Interest
Indie authors do not need to market to everyone. They need to focus on the readers who genuinely enjoy their writing style, tropes, and themes. Identifying your ideal reader helps you direct your energy more effectively.
Marketing is Not the Same as Selling
A lot of writers dread marketing because they think it means constantly pushing their books. In reality, marketing is storytelling about your story. When you frame your work with clarity and personality, readers naturally want to learn more.
Borrowing Nonprofit Strategies
Nonprofits excel at mission-driven storytelling and building loyal audiences. Those skills translate well for authors. Think newsletters that feel personal, social content that sparks engagement, and consistent messaging that builds trust over time.
Let Your Meet-Cute Moments Multiply
Every touchpoint with readers can create a first impression. Your website, newsletter, social media posts, or speaking appearances all work together to help readers experience who you are as a writer.
Presenting to Romance Writers
The audience was incredible. Generous, thoughtful, and passionate about the craft and the genre. There is something uniquely inspiring about being surrounded by creators who celebrate love both on and off the page. I left the presentation feeling energized and grateful.
I am working on sharing a video link for anyone who could not attend. If you want to be notified when it becomes available, keep an eye on my social media!
Share Your Meet-Cute
Whether you are an author, reader, or creative professional, I would love to hear about your own meet-cute moment with writing or with marketing.
xoxo,
Michaela Rae
